Home Care In Hatch, UT

Mechanical engineering major Andrew Hatch will represent Southern Utah University’s Class of 2023 as the university valedictorian. Originally from Mesa, Arizona, Hatch will graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in Spanish.

“In the beginning, I wasn’t really sure where to go before I found out about SUU,” said Hatch. “I loved that it was a smaller school in a place where there are great outdoor activities.

Growing up, Hatch was always big on playing sports: specifically basketball and volleyball. He also loves being outdoors and is passionate about his family and loves spending time with them. Along with his extracurricular activities, school has always been at the forefront of Hatch’s focus.

“Both my parents are teachers, so from a young age, learning and school were always important to me,” Hatch stated. “I think that helped me in college in terms of being accountable for my education and keeping up with those habits of going to class and doing homework.”

During his time at SUU, there have been many professors who have been a cornerstone for Hatch’s learning experience in the mechanical engineering program. Two, in particular, stand out to him: Dr. Scott Munro, professor of engineering, and Dr. Ali Siahpush, professor of mechanical engineering. Both challenged Hatch in extending his limits, while offering support along the way.

“Drew is an exceptional student with outstanding grades resulting from diligent work,” said Dr. Siahpush. “As a person, he is well-balanced, intelligent, and self-disciplined. He is mentally and physically tough, and he sets the pace and expectations for other colleagues and raises the standards. He works well in collaboration with others, and his collaborators often look to him as a leader. I have the utmost respect for how he conducts his professional life, and I believe that he has a bright future ahead of him. Given his outstanding qualities as a research student, I am sure that he will be successful in any academic and engineering endeavor.”

SUU has helped Hatch in more ways than just academics–he’s worked in the Tutoring Center for the last three years helping his fellow students with their assignments. This position has helped him discover his passion for helping others.

“I’ve loved working one-on-one with my fellow students and watching them learn to solve problems,” said Hatch. “From a career standpoint, I think this has made me want to do something along the lines of training or teaching in the field of engineering. I’ve seen how much it means to me to help other people.”

Hatch has also had some real-life experience in the field due to an internship with the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, in their water resources department.

Along with being valedictorian, one of Hatch’s greatest accomplishments during his time at SUU has been maintaining good grades for all four years.

“In hindsight, it makes all the hours I spent studying worth it,” said Hatch. “I’m also really proud of the connections I’ve made on campus–not just with my classmates and people in my major, but also with my professors and other friends. I didn’t know anybody when I first came here, but now it feels like I have a family at SUU. I’m really appreciative of all my professors, classmates, and friends who helped me get to this point. It’s definitely been a journey, and it shows me that it was all worth it.”

For Hatch, one of the biggest life lessons he learned in college has been learning to balance school and real life; be it jobs, responsibilities, and social aspects. But Hatch agrees that it is possible to find that balance and maintain it.

Following graduation, Hatch intends to get a job in the engineering field and start working as soon as he can.

“I definitely will take what I learned here at SUU into my career, and go forward from there,” Hatch stated.

For incoming Thunderbirds and college students in general, Hatch offers his advice; “I love the Tutoring Center, so make sure to utilize that–it’s an awesome resource and everyone there wants to help you. Don’t be afraid to go ask for help, whether that’s from a professor, a classmate, or the Tutoring Center. And don’t be afraid to do hard things: some classes may seem so rough, but you will make it through.”

Southern Utah University’s Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the America First Event Center. The Commencement Ceremony is open to all graduating students and their guests. Tickets are not required, but graduates and their families will be given priority seating.

Visit SUU’s graduation website for a full schedule of events.

Tags: College of Engineering and Computational Sciences Graduation Engineering

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Marketing Communication 435-586-5400

OGDEN — Weber County Clerk/Auditor Ricky Hatch is looking to take his talents to the state level.

On Thursday, Hatch told the Standard-Examiner that he has filed to run for the state auditor position in 2024.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” he said. “People have asked me for several years if that was my next step. I love public service that is closest to the people and the county is close to the people, so it was really challenging.”

However, Hatch said he sees several parallels between himself and current Auditor John Dougall, who announced this week he will not seek reelection.

“We both came into office with existing good offices and I feel like we’ve both taken them up to a much higher level of service and efficiency,” Hatch said. “I just want to keep the momentum that he’s established. I nominated him at the state convention back in 2012. I believed in him then and I want to continue what he’s done with making not just the office but government in general more transparent, more accountable and more efficient. I feel I’ve done that with the auditor’s office.”

He said he views this step as a continuation of his service to the people.

“I wouldn’t see this as a promotion, it’s just a different area of service, and I’m excited to use the skills and experience that I’ve gathered my whole career, both in and outside of government, to further the vision,” he said.

Hatch said he’s still working on his full vision for the position, but if elected, he wants to make sure the state auditor’s office doesn’t go in the wrong direction.

“I’m still figuring out the numerous duties of the state auditor,” he said. “One key component is, whatever that office is doing right now, I want to take that and make sure it doesn’t slide in any way. Basically, take that ball and run with it.”

He added that he would like to boost the office’s communication and support for local jurisdictions throughout the state.

“They all have budgeting and financial reporting requirements,” he said. “The state auditor’s office has done a good job at reaching out to them, and I think we can do a better job.”

Hatch said his previous professional experiences in financial auditing, business, information technology and local elections have prepared him to take on such a role.

Still, he said leaving his position in Weber County isn’t the easiest prospect.

“I absolutely love where I work, love working with Weber County,” he said. “We’ve got a world-class team that provides excellent services to the citizens and voters of Weber County, and the thought of leaving that really breaks my heart because I absolutely love it. But this feels like the right thing to do.”

As of Thursday afternoon, Hatch was the only candidate to have filed for the state auditor position, according to the state of Utah’s elections page.

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HATCH, Utah — Note: The following article contains descriptions of the scene that some might find graphic in nature.

The Garfield County Sheriff's Office on Sunday arrested three people after being tipped off to a company that may have dumped human waste in the wilderness near a river, according to court documents.

Based on the scene authorities reported finding while investigating, the company may have used the area for human ordure disposal multiple times.

A series of affidavits of probable cause for arrest were filed with Utah's 6th District Court, which detail a grisly scene near the town of Hatch.

According to the probable cause statements, the office was notified on July 15 by an individual who had placed trail cameras near Asay Creek, a distributary of the Sevier River. The tipster alleged the trail cameras had recorded a company dumping what the person believed was human excrement in the area.

The specific location wasn't identified in the probable cause statement, but the arresting deputy wrote the site was approximately 4 miles south from Hatch, off a dirt road near the creek. The nearest location that fits that description is a dirt road off mile marker 111 on Highway 89 -- Asay Creek Road -- which follows the meandering waterway into the Dixie National Forest.

The creek is one of the Sevier River headwaters. It has a high fish population and can be a hotspot for anglers.

"I went to the area and observed several different sites where it appeared human waste had been dumped," according to court documents filed by the investigating deputy. "Most of the sites were older, but there was a smell consistent with raw sewage and what appeared to be dried toilet paper and female hygiene items."

The report added that one the multiple sites where excreta had appeared to have been dumped was "very recent" as evidenced "due to the ground still being wet."

GCSO's investigation began that day, according to the deputy's report.

Just over two weeks later, on July 23, the deputy was notified once again regarding the suspect vehicle.

"The same reporting party advised me that he, by a photo notice from his trail camera, told me there were vehicles in the area where the dump site was with (an) excavator," according to the arrest report.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene in the 1 p.m. hour and discovered three adults working at the site, one of whom was identified as Sindi Vetere, the owner of A-Action Sanitation, which operates in southern Utah and northern Arizona and is listed on its website as being "a division of RD & B Enterprises."

The other two suspects were identified by the arresting deputy as the owner's husband, Weston Vedere, who was attempting to clean up the dumping site with an excavator.

The third individual was one of their employees, James Torgerson, who reportedly admitted to dumping the detritus and used sanitary items in the first place, the deputy wrote.

"Sindi said that when James had made her aware that it was he who had dumped the human waste in the area, that it was determined they would all go and clean up the mess that James had made," according to the GCSO report. "None of the parties present said they had reported the incident to anyone and had not received permission from the state, who owns the property where the human waste was dumped, to dig or alter the land."

All three are facing potential felony charges in the incident, according to court documents.

Sindi Vetere was arrested on suspicion of third-degree felony obstruction of justice for not disclosing the illegal dump to authorities. Weston Vetere was booked on suspicion of the same.

In addition to suspicion of third-degree felony obstruction of justice, Torgerson was also arrested on suspicion of third-degree felony knowingly and unlawfully discharge pollutants.

2News has reached out to the Utah Department of Water Quality for details on how extensive the damage may be, and if the dump site had polluted the Asay Creek, Sevier River, or had contaminated any groundwater.

2News has also reached out to A-Action Sanitation for comment.

Neither party had responded at the time this article was published.

Hours of operation:

Mon. - Fri., except holidays

Current tenants: U.S. District Courts, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Probation

The former U.S. Courthouse of Utah was officially renamed the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. Courthouse in a ceremony on September 2. Orrin Hatch served as a U.S. Senator from 1977-2019. He represented the people of Utah for 42 years and was the ninth longest serving senator in American History.

GSA received $185 million dollars in 2013 for construction and construction management funding for the courthouse project. The building is located on a site directly adjacent to the west of the existing Frank E. Moss Courthouse. The site clearing has included the successful relocation of the historic Odd Fellows building.

The Orrin G. Hatch U.S. Courthouse was built to house the expanding needs of the U.S. District Court in the District of Utah. The present Frank E. Moss Courthouse exceeded its original design capacity from both a space and security perspective. In December 2015, the new courthouse achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition to the U.S. District Courts, the building will house, the U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Probation.

The building is connected by a tunnel to the Frank E. Moss Courthouse, which is situated adjacent to and directly east of the new building. The facility surrounded by a garden of grass, trees and other landscaped elements and houses seven district and three magistrate courtrooms, along with 14 chambers and office-support spaces on 10 floors above grade. The two floors below grade will contain parking and building support space.

The building features a 10-story atrium in the center facing the elevator core that holds a large sculpture made from 380 tubes of optical aluminum created by renowned artist James Carpenter. The interior features wood paneling and white oak floors that temper the glass and aluminum characteristics of the exterior. A circular glass staircase that connects the first three floors is a focal point in the entry atrium.

Directions & Parking

Two-hour publicly metered spots are available near and around the courthouse.

Report a maintenance issue

To report a building issue, contact the Building Manager's office at 801-524-5260.

Amenities

Green Features

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Historical Features

To clear the site for the new courthouse, many structures had to be removed, including the National Register listed Odd Fellows Hall. Through consultation, it was determined to relocate the Odd Fellows Hall instead of demolishing it. During ground excavation for this relocation and its new site across Market Street, as well as the remainder of the site for construction, thousands of historic artifact were discovered, including plates, pottery, wagon wheel and dozens of old signs from a sign maker's shop. A display of some of these artifacts will be located in the main lobby of the new courthouse. The display depicts the history of the federal courts in Utah, as well as those that lived and worked on this site, as revealed by the uncovered artifacts.

Art in Architecture Program

"Suspended Light Pillars"

This installation builds on the primary concepts for the building, the capture and display of the Salt Lake City basin's unique atmospheric and light conditions. Working in collaboration with the architects, Thomas Phifer and Partners, James Carpenter Design Associate's artwork is conceived as a suspended grid of vertically suspended hexagonal "prisms," designed to suggest and mimic a cloud composed of ice crystals.

Such ice clouds are common phenomena in the Salt Lake City area and occur when cold air and water in the upper atmosphere combine to create suspended ice crystals that often take the form of polygonal "pillars." In the central atrium of the Salt Lake City Courthouse, the artwork's nine stacked fields of hexagonal tubes are, like the cloud borne ice crystals that inspire them, suspended and aligned. They are also intersected by beams of sunlight, projected into their midst by the nine tilted mirrors below the skylight. Using reflection to emulate the refraction that occurs in clouds, the encounter of sunlight within the hexagon fields serves to evoke the Salt Lake City's signature visual phenomena. Learn more about GSA's Art in Architecture program.

For more information about this federal building please contact Candy Larene Gines at [email protected] or 801-524-3554.

Elda Marie Pope Thatcher Lewis Hatch was born January 29, 1924 to Orlan Clinton Pope and Leona Marie Jacobson. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was married and sealed to George Alma Thatcher on March 10, 1944, the only man that didn’t flinch at her determination to have a dozen children. She was his devoted wife for over 41 years.

They had many adventures as a large family on an educator’s income. She was not a stranger to tough times and was a master of stretching her resources. Sewing and cooking, baking and gardening, nursing and counseling, her posterity marvels at her successes. Through the Grace of God, she was allowed to raise all twelve of her children to adulthood.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She blessed the lives of the doubtless thousands she came in contact with. Her most recent calling and very dear to her, was a temple worker in the Provo temple, where her own widowed mother served for many years.

After her beloved George, eternal companion and father of her children passed away on January 16, 1985, she was reunited with and married Orton Eugene Lewis. An old beau from her youth and a widower, he gladly assumed the mantle as her companion and they were soon off on adventures of their own. After over 22 years of marriage, Gene passed away in early 2010.

The Lord saw fit to bless Elda with a third husband in Max Ossmen Hatch, her high school sweetheart. They were blissfully married for almost two years prior to his passing in 2012.

Preceded in death by her husbands: George Alma Thatcher, Orton Eugene Lewis, Max Ossmen Hatch, her daughter: Irene Richmond Brooksby Allen, and her son: Wilford Kent Thatcher.

Survived by siblings: Arnold (LuAnn), Amy (Bud) Wernz, and Charlie (Susan) and children: Marian Chariat aka Rosemary, Dennis L (MaryLu), Eldon G (Louise), Tom N (Reme), Rebecca Nokes Thatcher, Janet (Jeff) Labrum, Orlan R (Karen), Ted W (Cheryln), Clinton D (Karen), Jim E (Sarah), Heide Shriver, and Sandra (Roy) Powell, 51 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

An evening visitation will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 2 pm with a visitation one hour prior. Services will be located at Freedom 4th Ward, 835 South 500 West, Provo, Utah.

Interment will be at Provo City Cemetery